Story: Geology – overview

Almost all the rock in the Southern Alps is Torlesse greywacke, and many climbers and trampers see only this rock type. This panorama, taken from above the Cook River valley shows the peaks of Aoraki (Mt Cook, 1), Mt Tasman (2) and Mt Dampier (3). These greywacke peaks form the highest part of the Southern Alps.

Subduction beneath the North Island

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Rocks offset along the Alpine Fault

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